Who’s winning all these Astros-Phillies deals?

It’s been hinted at, snarked about if that’s a word and generally mocked for the better part of three years. Monday, it was asked, and there’s no reason to avoid the topic since it was clearly in the forefront of many minds when Monday’s trade happened:

Z,

After the recent trade for the Philly left-hander, I’ve lost track of how many players have been acquired from Philadelphia under Ed Wade’s reign. I can no longer name them all. Would you mind compiling a list including the ones who didn’t stay too long? … And how common is it for a GM to be involved in that much activity with his former team? Just when I think it has already gotten ridiculous enough, another transaction takes place.

-Falcon

The Astros and Phillies have been frequent partners in transactions since the beginning of Wade’s tenure with Houston in 2007. Here are the moves made with the Phillies, a list that does not include signing former Phillies such as Brett Myers and Jason Michaels.

It’s not like Wade doesn’t know any other general managers’ phone numbers, and on the surface, neither side has really worked the other one over.

The biggest names have gone to Philadelphia while the bulk of the successful players have gone to the Astros.

Looking at the two major trades in terms of the value statistic wins above replacement (for major leaguers only), the Astros have gotten the better of the trades and have Jonathan Villar, whom Baseball America just ranked the Astros’ No. 3 prospect.

WAR statistics, like the transactions data, are from Baseball-Reference.com, and they are since the players joined their new teams after the trades.

With Phillies

Lidge +0.6

Bruntlett -2.1

Oswalt +2.8

Total +1.3 WAR

(Salary paid: Approximately $34 million)

With Astros

Bourn +4.8

Geary +0.7

Happ +1.0

Wallace -0.1

Total +6.4 WAR

(Salary paid: Approximately $9 million)

Yes, the Phillies have been very good, making the playoffs the last four years. And no, the Astros have not been very good, missing them the last five years. But these trades are hardly the explanation for that.

I know it’s late and I’m still atwitter from that scintillating push in the national championship game, so what am I missing here? Why is everyone so upset every time these two teams get together on some kind of deal?